Vaccination in the workplace is critical, serving to protect employees from infectious diseases and fostering a robust and productive workforce. It aids in averting workplace outbreaks, curbing absenteeism resulting from illness, and providing a secure environment for immunocompromised staff. Workplace vaccination initiatives are pivotal in establishing a safer, more efficient work atmosphere, enhancing employee welfare, and bolstering community health.
Why is an employer responsible for ensuring the vaccination of employees?
Any company or industry that has employees should take all the precautionary measures for the safety of their staff. The company is to get their employees vaccinated. Employees work hard to raise their companies’ revenue. In return, they all receive different salaries depending on their designations. But they also have the right to well-being at work along with their wages.
Employers are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of their employees. They are also bound to bear the medical expenditures of their employees in case of any accidents and incidents.
In today’s article, we will discuss the different types of workplaces where the vaccination of employees must be the primary priority for occupational health and safety. We will also highlight the responsibilities of owners to ensure the complete vaccination of workers for wellbeing at work.
So, let’s get started!
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (HSWA):
Great Britain formulated the Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974. It deals with the health and safety of workers. This act has advised employers to inform their employees about the dangers of jobs before hiring them. Employees have the right to occupational health and safety.
HSWA also emphasizes employers carry out the proper medical checkups of their employees. This act does not allow entrepreneurs to hire chronic or epidemic diseased employees. It is because employees affected with any epidemic diseases may cause risks to the health and safety of others at the place.
Workers’ rights against COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing:
According to the COVID-19 vaccination and testing , all employees must get a vaccine. The unvaccinated employee cannot perform any job or enter the workplace. Anyone with an incomplete vaccine status is also not eligible to enter the workplace because they may pose a health risk to their fellow members.
Workplaces requiring COVID-19 Vaccination:
The government has categorized the business sectors and mandated their staff to get vaccinated. In this regard, the government is issuing vaccine cards to the vaccinated people as a symbol of proof. So, every vaccinated person must show this card before entering crowded places.
Following are some small and large-scale sectors whose staff are bound to get COVID-19 vaccinations.
Education Sector:
The students studying in different schools, colleges, and universities have more risks of getting COVID positive. This sector is likely to have more COVID cases till now. Why? It is because of increased physical interaction between students and staff.
That is why the Government has closed these institutions several times due to their increasing Corona cases. Now, the health ministry has made the COVID vaccine compulsory for every student and teacher. Moreover, the educational institutes do not allow unvaccinated students to enter.
Health sector:
Hospitals and pharmacies require complete COVID-19 vaccination. Health sector is responsible for treating COVID-19 patients; hence, has the highest occupational risk of getting COVID-19 at work and spreading it. This is why ministry of health has made it mandatory for every person entering the health building to be vaccinated.
Hotels and Restaurants:
The ministry of health has advised all the food outlets and restaurants to minimize the gathering of people. It aims to maintain their health and safety in this period
What steps should a business owner take to protect their staff and customers?
The following measures to safeguard his employees.
- The owner should ensure that every employee is vaccinated, including himself.
- Employers should not allow any staff member to enter if they have COVID related symptoms.
- Should ensure everyone at the workplace wears a mask at all times.
- Encourage proper hand hygiene practices.
- Should ensure regular sanitization of office equipment which is frequently used.
How Well for Work can be helpful?
So, what if you can get a customized program based on your individual needs for the workplace?
We have developed an online application in which every staff member can complete a symptoms questionnaire online. The application will evaluate the answers and predict the outcome: fit to come to work, require a RAT test, or please contact you healthcare proivder and do not come to work.
Want expert health advice for your staff? Contact us now and we’ll be glad to assist you.
